Yesterday was Earth Day and in celebration Duncan was invited by Brighton & Hove Energy Services Co-Op (BHESCo) to join a panel to discuss the climate emergency and how the city can become carbon neutral by 2030.
To watch the full panel debate and BHESCo’s 50th Anniversary Film please click below.
In the midst of unprecedented response to Coronavirus from governments and authorities the world over, Duncan questions how amazing it would be to think this ability to pass legislation, mobilise people and use of resources for good, could lead to a similar effort in tackling the climate emergency and fully addressing the construction industry’s part to play?
His in depth read “Pandemic cities: how will Coronavirus shape urban life?” discusses the lasting impact this global situation may have whilst he also presents his Top 4 News Stories, Opinion Piece of the Week, Quarantine Survival List and reflects upon his Futurebuild 2020 Highlights.
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BBM return to Futurebuild @ Excel London
We are proud to announce that BBM will once again be at Futurebuild London, with director and environmental architect Duncan Baker Brown speaking across all three days, Tuesday 4th March – Thursday 6th March.
Visit us at stand number F112 within the Resourceful Materials zone to discuss how our Architecture services or Closing the Loop Consultancy can benefit your project.
Event Website: Futurebuild 2020
Location: Excel London, Royal Victoria Dock, 1 Western Gateway, London, E16 1XL
This years summit will focus on how architects, clients and project partners can respond to the climate emergency by workings towards net-zero. The event takes place on the 2nd April at the County Hall, London Waterloo.
To purchase a ticket please click here.
Taking place on the 28th February at 66 Portland Place, Duncan and Ed Barsley will discuss the topic: ‘How can architects become part of the solution to the climate change challenge?’
To purchase a ticket please click here
“As part of the wider design and construction industry, the architectural profession contributes significantly to climate change: the fabrication, occupation, maintenance and demolition of the world’s built environment consumes about 50% of all the raw materials annually; it also creates 45% of UK CO2 emissions. Now, the RIBA is urging architects to act and become part of the solution rather than the problem: in June 2019, it declared an environment and climate emergency and in October it launched 2030 Climate Challenge Targets for RIBA Chartered Practices.
In this book club event, two expert RIBA Publishing authors explore how architects can ameliorate climate change. Duncan Baker-Brown, author of The Reuse Atlas, will talk about the importance of architects as ‘resource managers’, sourcing reusable and reused materials and components: What are the key moves that architects need to make to change the way they specify and motivate their clients and collaborators to do the same thing? Ed Barsley, author of Retrofitting for Flood Resilience, will highlight how architects can work creatively and strategically with increased water levels induced by shifting climate conditions.”
Architects’ Journal website, 13/02/20
Full article – Subscription needed
RetroFirst: The case for circular public-sector procurement
To read the full article please click here.
Local authorities, owners of both land and property, are perfectly placed to transition the management of their resources into a circular economy system. Instead of demolishing unsuitable existing building stock, they could instead retrofit it for re-use or carefully deconstruct them and re-use the existing materials on other local sites.
Will Hurst explains that Brighton and Hove City Council, who pledged to become carbon neutral by 2030, is leading by example. BBM director Duncan Baker-Brown is advising BHCC on how to reach their carbon neutral pledge by implementing a construction and tourism-focussed circular economy route map.
Following calls from scientists and the public in the last year to take radical steps towards preventing the climate emergency, many public bodies in the UK have begun to embrace a construction re-use agenda.
“Everyone in the public sector is talking about this,” says Baker-Brown, who recently established a new consultancy to advise clients on sustainable and ‘closed loop’ strategies in addition to his work at architecture practice BBM Sustainable Design and at the University of Brighton.
The Dock – Firle, East Sussex
Project: Two storey rear extension and single storey side extension with sensitive refurbishments to existing works
The Dock lies within the Firle Conservation Area and the South Downs National Park. Although the existing two-storey, four-bedroom house was not statutorily listed, it was identified as being of local interest and is located within the surrounding conservation area. A sensitive approach to the existing fabric and built form was required to create minimal impact on the surrounding area.
The works included multiple extensions providing additional bedrooms and a bathroom to the house as well as the re-planning of communal spaces and a full refurbishment of the property including thermal upgrades. Click here for the full project profile.
Abbots Barn – Ripe, East Sussex
Project: New build extension with associated external works
Located in sight of the South Downs National Park, the annexe was designed to sit respectively alongside the existing dwelling. The annexe forms a fourth side to the main property’s entrance courtyard and its presence protects the area from a strong south westerly prevailing wind. Meanwhile, large glazed openings to the south and west elevations address the surrounding landscape and views of the National Park, something lacked previously. Click here for the full project profile.